Keshavan hopes for new beginning in sports administration

Elated after tri-colour was hoisted at the Sochi Games Village, Indian luger Shiva Keshavan hoped for a new beginning in sports governance in the country.

"Politics and national flag should be kept separate. We just hope now for good governance and better facilities," Keshavan said after the Indian flag was raised at the games venue.

Newly-elected Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president N Ramachandran was also present at the ceremony in Rosa Khutor.

Keshavan, Himanshu Thakur and Nadeem Iqbal took part in the opening ceremony on February 7 under the IOC flag as they entered the Games as Independent Olympic Participants.

But after the IOC lifted the suspension on IOA following an election last week, they will be able to walk under the tri-colour at the closing ceremony slated for February 23.

"It is a symbolic change but now we want to see real change. We need to see improvements in winter sports. They have the power to make a difference and they will start with a clean slate," said the 33-year-old.

Keshavan finished a disappointing 37th in the men's singles luge competition on February 9.

Image: Shiva Keshavan

Photograph: Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images